(Day Seven – Afternoon)
After breakfast, the air between Sakura and me felt lighter, but my chest still carried a strange weight that had nothing to do with my new figure.
The remains of our meal – half-eaten pastries and empty coffee cups – littered the table as we sat in comfortable silence, the only sound the faint hum of the AC.
Sakura lounged on the couch, flipping through her phone while I tried to distract myself by cleaning the kitchen. Every time I glanced her way, she'd shoot me one of those playful grins that made my heart skip.
"Are you planning to scrub that plate into dust?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as I furiously wiped the same dish for the third time.
I sighed, setting the plate down and leaning against the counter. "Maybe."
She hopped up from the couch, padding over to me with her usual casual grace.
"Yuki," she said softly, resting a hand on my arm. "What's going on?"
I bit my lip, unsure how to answer.
"I'm just… thinking," I said finally, avoiding her gaze.
Sakura tilted her head, studying me. "About the changes? Or something else?"
I hesitated, gripping the edge of the counter. "Both."
She didn't press me further, but her hand lingered on my arm, warm and steady.
"Let's go for a walk," she said suddenly, her eyes lighting up.
"A walk?"
"Yeah. It's a beautiful day, and you've been cooped up inside all week. Fresh air will do you good."
I hesitated, glancing down at myself. "What if people… you know… notice?"
Sakura smiled reassuringly. "Let them notice. You look great, Yuki. Trust me."
Her words carried a warmth that eased some of my nerves.
"Fine," I relented, grabbing my shoes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The campus was quiet, the weekend buzz fading into a lazy afternoon stillness.
Sakura led the way, her hand brushing against mine occasionally as we strolled beneath the cherry blossom trees lining the main path.
Every so often, I caught someone glancing my way – a curious flicker of recognition that quickly shifted into something else.
Nobody said anything, but their looks felt different now.
Not unkind. Just… curious.
"See?" Sakura said, nudging me gently. "Nothing to worry about."
"Easy for you to say," I muttered.
She grinned, tugging me toward a bench beneath one of the larger trees.
As we sat down, the petals above us swayed gently in the breeze, a few drifting down to land in Sakura's pink hair.
She flicked them away with a laugh. "Cherry blossoms love me. What can I say?"
I smirked, shaking my head. "You're impossible."
"And you love it."
I stiffened, the word hanging in the air between us like a spark.
Sakura must have realized what she said, because her grin faltered slightly, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Sorry," she said quickly, waving a hand. "That was… probably too much."
I shook my head, heart pounding. "It's fine."
The silence that followed was heavier than I expected.
And for the first time, I felt the weight of all the things I hadn't said pressing down on me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We walked back to my apartment in a comfortable silence, but my mind wouldn't stop racing.
Sakura stayed close, her shoulder brushing against mine occasionally as we made our way through the quiet streets.
Every now and then, she'd glance at me, her expression softer than usual.
I knew I needed to say something.
But how do you put feelings like this into words?
How do you tell someone that they've been your anchor through the strangest, scariest week of your life?
How do you tell someone you might be falling for them?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By the time we got back, the afternoon sun had dipped lower in the sky.
Sakura flopped onto the couch, stretching her arms above her head.
"That was nice," she said, smiling. "We should do that more often."
I stood by the door, fidgeting with the hem of my hoodie.
"Sakura," I started, my voice barely above a whisper.
She glanced at me, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but the words caught in my throat.
"Never mind," I said quickly, shaking my head.
She frowned, sitting up straight. "Yuki, what's going on? You've been weird all day."
I hesitated, my chest tightening.
"Do you…" I started, then stopped, clenching my fists.
Sakura stood, stepping closer.
"Yuki," she said gently, her voice steady. "You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"
I nodded, my heart pounding as she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Okay," I said finally, my voice trembling. "There's something I need to tell you. But… later."
Sakura studied me for a moment, then smiled softly.
"Take your time," she said, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
And for the rest of the afternoon, her presence was enough to keep me grounded.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As the sun dipped closer to the horizon, I knew one thing for sure.
By the end of tonight, I wouldn't be able to keep this inside anymore.